Superfights

Have you seen the No Retreat, No Surrender movies and their unofficial sequels? This movie follows in the same tracks. If you enjoyed the former, you will like this. The thing about this is that it's even less serious than the other similar movies, something one didn't think was possible. It' film making at it's very worst (unprofessional, amateurish and extremely goofy) combined with martial arts action at it's very best (or at least close to it). The combination is great really, you shift back and forth from laughing out loud about how bad it is, to actually enjoying and admiring the cool fight scenes. A weird movie that I'll recommend if you enjoy martial arts flicks.

Tony Leung along with Steve Wang (DRIVE, THE GUYVER II: DARK HERO) are responsible for some of the best direct to video martial arts films since Jackie Chan earlier films began to be released theatrically. SUPERFIGHTS is Tony Leung's American directorial debut followed by the stunning BLOODMOON. If you can excuse the storyline implausibility and Hong Kong-esque ridiculousness (e.g. the running sequence probably intended as a homage to ROCKY with everyone and I do mean everyone acknowledging our hero) then sit back and enjoy the ride martial arts fans because will make you giddy with adrenaline. Newcomer Brandon Gaines plays self trained martial artist Jack Cody, a dead end box boy aspiring to join the SUPERFIGHTERS. SUPERFIGHTS is a pro wrestling type entertainment company promoted by corrupt businessman and martial artist Robert Sawyer (Keith Vitali) whose illicit activities go far beyond that of the training room and fighting ring. Serendipity occurs for Jack one night when his heroics in saving an innocent girl by the name of Sally from a robbery is caught on tape turning him into a hero overnight. His skills also catch the eye of promoter Robert Saywer who makes him an offer he can't refuse. In becoming a superfighter, Jack eventually uncovers the true nature of the business forcing him to take a stand against Mr. Saywer and his army of drug enhanced, mind altered warriors. With the aid of Sally and her tai chi master grandfather, Jack Cody does just that and the results are spectacular. While the in-ring fighting choreography is commendable, the outside fights are dizzying. Brandon Gaines agility is a feast for the eyes along with female trainer Angel's physical prowess. Also worth mentioning are performances by UFC veteran Keith Hackney and ECW regular ROB VAN DAM (also seen in BLOODMOON). Make no mistake about it, Tony Leung can choreograph a fight sequence. I sure hope SEASONAL FILMS has this guy on a multi-film contract.

SUPERFIGHTS (***** out of *****)

In the history of martial arts cinema, there have been repeating symbols and themes. This is THE movie that employs these symbols and themes to perfection. The fights are stunningly choreographed, and the story compelling.

Many a person has said that this movie resembles The Karate Kid on steroids, but that is a most unfair comment. Superfights is about Jack Cody's growth as a human being.

Do yourself a favor, and SEE IT. RIGHT NOW.

Also Recommended: Bloodmoon

Not Recommended: The Karate Kid, Tigerheart

Anyone familiar with the 90s output of HK based Seasonal Films (Gary Daniels' BLOODMOON, American SHAOLIN, KING OF THE KICKBOXERS II) will most likely know what to expect here: excellent fights and plenty of laughs. To paraphrase a friend who also took this film in, "How this 80s movie got made in the 90s is beyond me!" Honestly, I have not laughed this hard while watching a film in a long time. The first 15 minutes had me going scene after scene. Nearly everything thing about SUPERFIGHTS is funny. From the male lead "training" while working his day job as a box boy to the hilarious stereotypes regard wrestling to the amazing theme song ("Superfighter! Kick his ass!"), the film is completely wrongheaded in every aspect. Well, except for one. Like every Seasonal film, the fight choreography is exceptional. Director/fight choreographer Tony Leung Siu Hung captures some great moves from martial arts veterans such as Keith Vitali, Cliff Lenderman & Chuck Jeffreys along with newcomer Brandon Gaines. Gaines is extraordinarily agile, but can't act to save his life. One truly hasn't lived until you have seen Gaines run up the steps of a courthouse a la ROCKY while screaming "Woo hoo!" at the top of his lungs. Writer Keith W. Strandberg is also responsible for the equally hilarious NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER series, so that explains a lot. If you are a fan of high quality fights, then this is definitely recommended. However, if you are a fan of movies so funny that they will make you cry, then SUPERFIGHTS is highly recommended.

What an extraordinary film. It has it all: a simple story that highlights the most important thing: foreshadowing a series of fights that end in an extraordinary final sequence. The director, who has had to deal with unin collaborator Western actors for Hong Kong standars such as Loren Avedon or Brendan Gaiines offers us a fantastic job here. A film is good to the extent that it fulfills its goal of surprising and entertaining. And based on this, the movie is wonderful. The director's talent allows the best for Brendan Gaines and one of my all-time favorites, Keith Vitali. I highly recommend it to every action movie lover.